Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on a very important initiative and say in praise that work on the M1 from Dublin to Belfast, which is linked to my county, Monaghan, through Ardee, is an example of how proper infrastructure can transform opportunities for us. The M1 and, one hopes, the port tunnel will facilitate those in the north east getting into Dublin to do their business.

I wish to comment on tolling, an issue raised several times in the House recently. Only this Monday, I travelled from Monaghan via the M1 toll bridge, and, using Eazy Pass, I was able to drive through at approximately 25 mph to 30 mph, slowing down enough to allow the machine to work. However, when I went through the M50, the machine had to wait until the toll bar had gone up and down twice. In this day and age, how can they not transfer the services available on the M1 to the M50, which is a much busier road, thus encouraging people to use an Eazy Pass system? There is something scandalously wrong when such a matter cannot be dealt with in a simple way.

Another issue about which I become annoyed on driving into the city revolves around empty bus corridors. I do not understand why people should be obliged to sit in their cars on roads that are jammed with traffic while the bus lanes on those roads remain empty. Those involved in operating the Dublin transport system must give consideration to this matter. If one considers the position in Canada and other countries throughout the world, one will discover that ways to circumvent this problem have been found.

In Canada, for example, vehicles containing three or more people are entitled to use bus lanes. If park and ride facilities were available along the M50, many people could park on the outskirts and use buses to travel into the city. This would ease many of the traffic jams in the city. These are simple initiatives and it is impossible to understand why the Government does not take action in respect of them. I understand that Operation Freeflow will come back into effect in the coming days. If action such as that to which I refer was taken, traffic would be much more free-flowing.

I welcome the extension of the M1 towards the Border. I wish to comment on a number of issues relating to the Border in light of the St. Andrews Agreement and on the possibility of funding from the UK and Irish Governments in this regard. One of the best ways to cement the agreement and the entire peace process in place is to create an environment in which transport can move, industry can prosper and tourism is given an edge.

There is an urgent need to exert pressure at European level to ensure that the transport link between Belfast and Carlisle, which provides road access to England and, beyond it, Europe, is improved. The road from Stranraer to Carlisle is totally unacceptable as a trans-European link. It is the Government's job to press, within EU structures, for it to be upgraded.

The figure of €34.4 billion sounds impressive, but I am concerned about the lack of transparency and information regarding the costings involved with Transport 21. The Minister indicated that it is becoming the practice for many new roads to be completed on budget and ahead of schedule. The Monaghan bypass came to public notice for more than one reason, but on the day it was opened it was not finished. When the figures relating to the construction of this road are totted up, I am certain that it will not be on budget. It is actually impossible to discover what is the budget in respect of the Monaghan bypass.

It is more than ten years since Monaghan County Council proceeded with plans for three bypasses at Carrickmacross, Castleblayney and Monaghan town. This shows the importance of proper strategic planning. The council was condemned at the time for employing consultants to oversee all three projects. However, the Carrickmacross bypass is completed, the part at Monaghan town is usable and the Castleblayney road is well on track. The only matter to which I would refer in respect of the latter is the hesitation on the part of the Government, through the county councils, to deal fairly with property owners.

The cost of property has increased dramatically in recent years, but old systems are still being used to finalise property deals. Many people are extremely annoyed about that fact. As the budget approaches, I beg the Government to take action to replace the commitments it gave at the last election to the former president of the IFA — he is now Minister of State at the Department of Finance — Deputy Parlon, that funding from the roll-over tax would be made available. This never happened because the tax was discontinued.

I emphasise the need for the N2 to be continued through Emyvale. I understand that progress is being made in this regard. However, in light of the peace process, we must ensure that North-South institutions work together to continue that road through Tyrone and on to Derry. The latter is the fourth largest city on the island of Ireland and the N2 link is vital not just for the sake of Dublin and Derry, but also for that of north-west Donegal. It is vital that the action I have outlined is taken.

The Government must state clearly how it will work with UK and Northern Ireland political personnel on projects relating to all cross-Border routes. I refer here to national primary roads that run from north to south and east to west. The road from Belfast to Galway through Monaghan must be made a priority, as must the extension to the Belfast-Sligo route. It is over 20 years since the latter was extended to Dungannon, but it has never been extended to Enniskillen and places further west. Matters of this nature must be dealt with in the current discussions. The road from Dundalk through Cullaville to Castleblayney includes the dangerous Ballynacarry Bridge. It is vital that this fairly short link is upgraded to ensure that it is made safe and that lives are saved.

Previous speakers referred to the good old days. I am old enough to remember the railway line that ran through my family's farm. That line was completely removed. However, a line to Kingscourt in Cavan remains in place but the section of it that runs into Monaghan is closed. It is scandalous that this line is not included under Transport 21. There is a proposal to bring it to Dunboyne and eventually on to Navan. The railway line to Kingscourt, with park and ride facilities provided, could transform the lives of many people who are obliged to commute to and from Dublin and ease the pressure on their families.

The situation relating to rail infrastructure in the north west is unacceptable. There are no railway lines in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh or Donegal. I suggest that, at the very least, a feasibility study be carried out in this regard to ensure that value for money is obtained.

The N3, which runs from Dublin to Navan, Cavan and on through Fermanagh to Donegal, is a vital link and it must be given priority. The latter does not appear to be the case at present. A number of Oireachtas colleagues met representatives of Cavan County Council recently and were informed that major delays continue to obtain in respect of the Belturbet section of that road, on which many deaths have occurred in recent years. There is also a delay on the Meath section of the Virginia bypass. It is vital that such matters are dealt with and resolved. I understand that the Castleblayney bypass will be a three-lane road, with two lanes on one side and one on the other. The relevant authorities are considering making the Virginia bypass a four-lane road, which is vital. Many questions arise in respect of the three-lane model and I am glad that the Virginia bypass, even if its completion is delayed, is constructed as a four-lane road. The N3 is extremely important because it provides access to Cavan, Enniskillen and Donegal.

The situation relating to Enniskillen is important in the context of the St. Andrews Agreement. There is an urgent need for a bridge across the Erne there to release the traffic. If that was done, it would leave enormous potential for different routes to be considered as the best route for an east-west road from Dundalk along the route of the old railway line. I urge that, in discussions with the Northern Ireland authorities, the matter would be dealt with sympathetically.

There is an opportunity to cement the Good Friday Agreement and what is now known as the St. Andrews Agreement. I urge the Government, in the next few days — not months — to ensure that it comes forward publicly with whatever form the proposed package will take and state clearly what funds and infrastructure will be involved. Obviously, it will include the likes of the Ulster Canal, but that will not come under Transport 21. These issues are vital and could be the means of bringing forward and cementing a lasting peace, for which many of us have yearned long before we ever entered this House.

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